Parents, teachers must join forces
to ensure student success

The power of parent involvement can lead students toward a lifetime of success. To that end, the Pasadena ISD offers a variety of programs which encourage parents to become involved in their child's education.

"Not only do teachers have the power to shape young minds, parents hold that responsibility in their hands as well," said Joyce Eversole, Pasadena ISD's associate superintendent of curriculum and instruction.

At the elementary level, parent involvement is extremely high. Through the Parent-Teacher Association and Parent-Teacher Organization (PTA and PTO), parents join forces with teachers to make important decisions that affect the students. On both the district and individual school level, these organizations encourage community involvement to provide a better learning environment for the students. They raise funds, provide tutoring and give students the necessary skills they need in school.

Many elementary schools in the district also hold book breakfasts where parents are invited to participate in a variety of activities that encourage literacy. In addition, parents can volunteer in the classroom, help teachers with curriculum, work in the libraries and assist in a variety of other areas.

"Having parents integrated into a child's learning cycle is important," Eversole said. "A child can benefit in many ways."

Eversole said beginning elementary students need their parent's help more than ever with new reading requirements from the state going into effect next year. The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test requires next year's third graders to pass the reading portion of the test to be promoted to fourth grade.

"After a parent's long and tiresome day at the office or running errands, rest might sound pretty appealing," she said. "However, it is in these precious moments when your child standing there with a book in her hand needs you the most. Devoting just a few minutes with a book will capture the attentive ear of your child and shape their reading skills for a lifetime.

At the secondary level, the involvement is different. "Parents support their children on the intermediate level by attending arts events, athletic events and live performances put on by the students," Eversole said.

Eversole said that Pasadena ISD is equipped to handle Spanish-speaking parents as well. "We have bilingual teachers in our schools," she said. "We do not want anyone to be left out when it comes to supporting our students."

Parent conferences also are available on all of the school levels. "Having a parent take an active role in educating their children is one way of ensuring success for the students," Eversole said.


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